Sarkozy: Palestinians should drop their formal bid for statehood

Addressing the U.N., President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy offered different solutions to defuse the diplomatic crisis. Sarkozy would have the Palestinians seek a lesser form of recognition at the U.N., while joining new talks with Israel, the Washington Post reports.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy backed Obama's call for the Palestinians to drop their formal bid for statehood, and offered another diplomatic solution. He supported observer state status for Palestinians but not full UN membership, while peace talks are held with Israel, the ctv.ca reports.

The move would head off a Security Council vote and a veto, which Sarkozy said could set off another "cycle of violence in the Middle East."

The French president offered a one-year timetable for Israel and the Palestinians to hammer out a deal.